Centre Number:14343
Candidate Name: Laila Msouhli
Candidate Number: 2508
Unit: G321
Monday, 24 April 2017
Closed Blog Notice
Centre name: Norbury Manor Business and Enterprise College
Centre Number:14343
Candidate Name: Laila Msouhli
Candidate Number: 2508
Unit: G321
Centre Number:14343
Candidate Name: Laila Msouhli
Candidate Number: 2508
Unit: G321
Sunday, 23 April 2017
Evaluation : Question # 7
Looking back at your prelim task, what do you feel you've learnt in the progression to the full task?
At the start of the year I was new to Photoshop and all the tools available as a media student however now I'm a lot more, for lack of a better term, tech savvy, as in I know more about the tech that I'm using my result is much better. I 've learnt that less is more; in my prelim task my cover and contents page was crammed with too much information. My final product however is nothing like that I used the space that I had wisely at the same time I didn't go overboard with the captions. In my prelim both contents and cover had background, in a magazine the background is hardly ever the focus so that idea went out the window in my final. My final lesson was in quality, as in image quality, there's a difference between taking a picture for memory and taking a picture for a magazine; the pictures in a magazine have to be professional in every way so that's why I took my images in the media studio not at home, although it would have been easier to take them at home it wouldn't come close to the quality in the studio.
Evaluation : Question # 6
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
I have learnt over the process of constructing this product that Photoshop is the most useful tool when it comes to editing images' it can sometimes be a pain but it's really comes in handy. Out of the many tools within Photoshop the one I used the most was the magic wand tool as it allows me to precisely select certain areas to do with as I please. A camera is nothing new to me, I chose Photography as an A-level however when in the studio my image quality was much better.
Evaluation : Question # 5
How did you attract / address your audience?
I addressed my target audience in a formal yet interesting manner; the wording I used was polite throughout the entire product as I didn't know the reader on a personal level however I tried to make it seem more relatable by using witty banter and a few play on words, how teens would speak nowadays without all the swearing and cussing.
Wednesday, 19 April 2017
Evaluation : Question # 4
Who would be the audience for your media product?
The intended audience for this magazine, as I have mentioned before is primarily teenagers in sixth form, However it might appeal to a younger audience as some aspects of the magazine is rather childish in a way; several quizzes are dotted throughout the magazine appealing to the young and would bring out the child in anyone. The targeted age range is 16 to 18 but I can't stop anyone older or younger from reading it. The magazine is aimed at those who prefer pop music above all else but there are some other genres within to try and gain a larger audience.
Evaluation : Question # 3
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
Evaluation : Question # 2
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
My media product represents the social group that is sixth form students. After I did my general research, asking a majority of my fellow students, I tailored the media product to suit the desires of the student body. My magazine attempts not to discriminate in any way shape or form instead, tries to please everyone within the target audience. My media product could represent a larger spectrum however it really depends on what type of music you like as this magazine mainly targets pop music, However it does contain a section full of fun activities for those boring weekends where there's nothing to do. It also contains fashion photos for the budding beauty guru readers and quizzes for younger readers. So, as I said, this magazine is trying to please as many readers as possible.
Evaluation : Question # 1
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Music Magazine : Interview Writing and Artist Interview
According to Wiki-how there are several steps you must complete to successfully 'formulate questions for an interview';
Q - First off, lovely to meet you, this is an honour for me, how did you initially begin in the music industry?
A - At first I was a backup dancer for Will.I.am and any associated artists, truthfully I was mainly backup dancing but I tried to help out wherever I could.
Q - How did you get a job as one fourth of the Black Eyed Peas’ backup dancer?
A - Ha, lol, nice one. Will.I.am noticed me through Face book, so thank you Mark Zuckerburg for that, but he wouldn’t have noticed me if my sister hadn’t gone behind my back and uploaded that one video that I asked her not to.
Q - I feel like you have something to get off your chest, so I’ll ask, and I don’t mean to pry but, what video would that be?
A - It was a video that I asked my sister to film on my birthday; I was just messing about, dancing to the groove, feeling the beat, all the other cheesy cliches. After I reviewed it I was so embarrassed by it I specifically and explicitly told her to delete it but siblings will be siblings and I don’t know how on earth she did it (I’m not at all tech savvy), she deleted it in front of me and somehow managed to upload it to Face book.
Q - Do you perhaps think that before you reviewed it she might have made a backup?
A - It’s possible but like I said I’m no tech genius.
Q - Were you at all angry about her uploading it?
A - At first yes, I was steaming mad; you know like in cartoons when a character gets angry smoke come out of their ears I was like that, however when I realized it was too late and the whole world could see it I calmed down and harassed her... verbally, of course.
Q - How can you harass someone verbally?
A - I screamed at her, she ended up balling her eyes out. It was a harmless joke but I tend to overreact... a lot; in fact I think I fired several staff members because of my overreactions. I always feel bad afterwards but sometimes I’m a bit of a Hulk I simply can’t control my rage.
Q - This leads me on to next big question; what’s in a name, particularly yours; how did you find the oddest pair of words?
A - I found it through a game called Google whack.
Q - I’m sorry what’s Google whack?
A - Simply put, Google whack is when you Google something and only one result pops up.
Q - How did you come about this Google game?
A - Through comedy, more or less. I was surfing through the recommendations on my YouTube page when I came across something called ‘Dave Gorman’s Google whack Adventure’ which almost immediately peaked my interest. The video was an hour long and it was so late at night but I couldn’t help myself, I was intrigued and curious; I clicked on the video and was hooked for the whole thing, that man really knows how to nitpick. Anyways I tried to find a Google whack of my own, which, little did I realize, that would be nearly impossible considering how much information is now on the internet.
Q - And was Cantatio Dicta one of those Google whacks?
A - No, I came across it by luck! What went through my head was a thought that practically no one speaks Latin anymore so I’ll Google translate the word Hip Hop, my favorite type of music, to Latin and see if that’s a Google whack... it wasn’t but it was quite a cool phrase and a mouthful.
Q - How did that name stick?
A - I started teasing my friends saying that it was a hard tongue-twister; everyone I asked found it easy to say and started teasing me back, calling me ‘Cantatio Dicta’ and the name stuck. But that’s just when I was a back-up dancer, it started on stage when on my first gig Will.I.am introduced me by my nickname, I then corrected him, said my real name and went on with the show. My second gig, I was still being introduced as ‘Cantatio Dicta’ and I thought why not keep the name, it sounds a lot cooler than Zara Smith.
Q - Speaking of on stage, you always look fabulous on it, which segways to my next question. Do you have any beauty tips or do you have someone who does all the hair and make up for you?
A - I do have some tips but when on stage I insist on not having any make up on and, before you ask, it’s for a reason; there are bright lights on stage, along with singing and dancing, I sweat quite a bit, particularly in the facial region, which would make the make-up run. So unless you can play a gig in the dark or make lights that don’t melt your face off then I might start wearing make-up on stage. Ok, I needed to rant a bit, on to my top five tips. 1. Never mix dark and light shades of anything. 2. Cut onions before using an eyelash curler. 3. When using any kind of make-up make sure, just like when painting, to wipe your brushes in between each color. 4. Lip balm only moisturizes your lips it’s not meant to be lip stick. 5. If you can’t find a mirror then use a window or any other reflective surface.
Q - Do you go to the gym at all because I imagine because of social norms there might be some pressure on you to do so?
A - I do go to the gym but not because of... what you just said. No I go to the gym for me and no one but me and because of my job I can get premium membership and some sweet gear. I remember one time I took my sister to the gym and she was one hell of a wimp; she had absolutely no stamina, she hardly did anything for the whole day. I was majorly disappointed but I couldn’t say I was surprised; it’s not out of character for her to be a lazy git.
Q - That’s a bit harsh. Your fans would like to know what your gym routine is like.
A - First I run then I swim and finally I walk. Let me explain; I first use the treadmill for about half an hour steadily increasing the speed, then I swim because it relaxes me and finally I walk home to get more exercise.
Q - Last question, if you could time travel would you go to the future or the past?
A - In the past there are too many ways to muck everything up without knowing it but if I went to the future I wouldn’t know what to expect therefore less opportunity to mess up the timeline. But that’s theoretically speaking, in reality I wouldn’t because it’s not possible.
- Do your research on the person. Well that's easy she's made up so I'll make it up as I go along.
- Write down your objective for the interview. Which is to show a major insight into this character.
- Ask open-ended questions.
- Ask a reflection question.
- Write down questions you know the answer to.
- Ask questions that elicit an emotional response.
Q - First off, lovely to meet you, this is an honour for me, how did you initially begin in the music industry?
A - At first I was a backup dancer for Will.I.am and any associated artists, truthfully I was mainly backup dancing but I tried to help out wherever I could.
Q - How did you get a job as one fourth of the Black Eyed Peas’ backup dancer?
A - Ha, lol, nice one. Will.I.am noticed me through Face book, so thank you Mark Zuckerburg for that, but he wouldn’t have noticed me if my sister hadn’t gone behind my back and uploaded that one video that I asked her not to.
Q - I feel like you have something to get off your chest, so I’ll ask, and I don’t mean to pry but, what video would that be?
A - It was a video that I asked my sister to film on my birthday; I was just messing about, dancing to the groove, feeling the beat, all the other cheesy cliches. After I reviewed it I was so embarrassed by it I specifically and explicitly told her to delete it but siblings will be siblings and I don’t know how on earth she did it (I’m not at all tech savvy), she deleted it in front of me and somehow managed to upload it to Face book.
Q - Do you perhaps think that before you reviewed it she might have made a backup?
A - It’s possible but like I said I’m no tech genius.
Q - Were you at all angry about her uploading it?
A - At first yes, I was steaming mad; you know like in cartoons when a character gets angry smoke come out of their ears I was like that, however when I realized it was too late and the whole world could see it I calmed down and harassed her... verbally, of course.
Q - How can you harass someone verbally?
A - I screamed at her, she ended up balling her eyes out. It was a harmless joke but I tend to overreact... a lot; in fact I think I fired several staff members because of my overreactions. I always feel bad afterwards but sometimes I’m a bit of a Hulk I simply can’t control my rage.
Q - This leads me on to next big question; what’s in a name, particularly yours; how did you find the oddest pair of words?
A - I found it through a game called Google whack.
Q - I’m sorry what’s Google whack?
A - Simply put, Google whack is when you Google something and only one result pops up.
Q - How did you come about this Google game?
A - Through comedy, more or less. I was surfing through the recommendations on my YouTube page when I came across something called ‘Dave Gorman’s Google whack Adventure’ which almost immediately peaked my interest. The video was an hour long and it was so late at night but I couldn’t help myself, I was intrigued and curious; I clicked on the video and was hooked for the whole thing, that man really knows how to nitpick. Anyways I tried to find a Google whack of my own, which, little did I realize, that would be nearly impossible considering how much information is now on the internet.
Q - And was Cantatio Dicta one of those Google whacks?
A - No, I came across it by luck! What went through my head was a thought that practically no one speaks Latin anymore so I’ll Google translate the word Hip Hop, my favorite type of music, to Latin and see if that’s a Google whack... it wasn’t but it was quite a cool phrase and a mouthful.
Q - How did that name stick?
A - I started teasing my friends saying that it was a hard tongue-twister; everyone I asked found it easy to say and started teasing me back, calling me ‘Cantatio Dicta’ and the name stuck. But that’s just when I was a back-up dancer, it started on stage when on my first gig Will.I.am introduced me by my nickname, I then corrected him, said my real name and went on with the show. My second gig, I was still being introduced as ‘Cantatio Dicta’ and I thought why not keep the name, it sounds a lot cooler than Zara Smith.
Q - Speaking of on stage, you always look fabulous on it, which segways to my next question. Do you have any beauty tips or do you have someone who does all the hair and make up for you?
A - I do have some tips but when on stage I insist on not having any make up on and, before you ask, it’s for a reason; there are bright lights on stage, along with singing and dancing, I sweat quite a bit, particularly in the facial region, which would make the make-up run. So unless you can play a gig in the dark or make lights that don’t melt your face off then I might start wearing make-up on stage. Ok, I needed to rant a bit, on to my top five tips. 1. Never mix dark and light shades of anything. 2. Cut onions before using an eyelash curler. 3. When using any kind of make-up make sure, just like when painting, to wipe your brushes in between each color. 4. Lip balm only moisturizes your lips it’s not meant to be lip stick. 5. If you can’t find a mirror then use a window or any other reflective surface.
Q - Do you go to the gym at all because I imagine because of social norms there might be some pressure on you to do so?
A - I do go to the gym but not because of... what you just said. No I go to the gym for me and no one but me and because of my job I can get premium membership and some sweet gear. I remember one time I took my sister to the gym and she was one hell of a wimp; she had absolutely no stamina, she hardly did anything for the whole day. I was majorly disappointed but I couldn’t say I was surprised; it’s not out of character for her to be a lazy git.
Q - That’s a bit harsh. Your fans would like to know what your gym routine is like.
A - First I run then I swim and finally I walk. Let me explain; I first use the treadmill for about half an hour steadily increasing the speed, then I swim because it relaxes me and finally I walk home to get more exercise.
Q - Last question, if you could time travel would you go to the future or the past?
A - In the past there are too many ways to muck everything up without knowing it but if I went to the future I wouldn’t know what to expect therefore less opportunity to mess up the timeline. But that’s theoretically speaking, in reality I wouldn’t because it’s not possible.
Music Magazine : DPS Image Decisions
Tuesday, 18 April 2017
Music Magazine : Stand First
The stand first is by definition 'a brief summary of an article appearing immediately after the headline', I had to look it up. This is my draft for my stand first:
Every once in a while an artist comes to light and simply blows everyone's socks off, shame we don't have one of them on speed dial, just kidding. Popular magazine presents you with Cantatio Dicta, an uprising pop-star in the music industry that had an unusual start in the business. First working for Will.I.am, before that a bog standard citizen and an annoying sibling, her words not ours. Before you ask Cantaio Dicta isn't her real name which she secretly reveled in the following interview...
Music Magazine : Text / Features and Color Choices
There's the usual contents list with various news and gossip articles which I got from real sources and a couple of celebrity quizzes. I also added a 'Check it out' column for a few things that aren't quite related to popular music but falls under popular events, this column is simply there to hopefully encourage anyone who reads it to go out and have some fun.
I made sure to keep the caption related to the main image separate from all the other captions so that it stands out just a bit.
One feature on this contents page, which I think is very cool, is the shadow which I made by duplicating the model layer completely filling it up with black and turning the opacity down to fifty percent.
The color scheme is similar to the cover's color scheme, in fact it's the same. The color combo on the cover worked do well that I thought I 'd use it again on the contents page.
Music Magazine : Contents Image Choices
I decided to go with this image for my contents page because the model in the image fits the bill perfectly for what I wanted in the contents; to put that into context, my general research (link here) showed that hip-hop and rap were a close second favorite in general so I made sure to put some hip-hop fashion in the magazine as a compromise as pop was the number one choice. Her dead stare and perfect hair and lips would make any teen jealous so naturally more inclined to buy the outfit.
Thursday, 30 March 2017
Music Magazine : DPS Market Research
Every once in a while an artist comes to light and simply blows everyone's socks off, shame we don't have one of them on speed dial, just kidding. Popular magazine presents you with Cantatio Dicta, an uprising pop star in the music industry that had an unusual start in the business.First working with a fourth of the Black Eyed Peas, before that a bog standard citizen and an annoying sibling, her words not ours. Before you ask Cantatio Dicta isn't her real name which she secretly reveals in the following interview...
Q - First off, lovely to meet you, this is an honor for me, how did you initially begin in the music industry?
A - At first I was a backup dancer for Will.I.am and any associated artists, truthfully I was mainly backup dancing but I tried to help out wherever I could.
Q - How did you get a job as one fourth of the Black Eyed Peas’ backup dancer?
A - Ha, lol, nice one. Will.I.am noticed me through Face book, so thank you Mark Zuckerburg for that, but he wouldn’t have noticed me if my sister hadn’t gone behind my back and uploaded that one video that I asked her not to.
Q - I feel like you have something to get off your chest, so I’ll ask, and I don’t mean to pry but, what video would that be?
A - It was a video that I asked my sister to film on my birthday; I was just messing about, dancing to the groove, feeling the beat, all the other cheesy cliches. After I reviewed it I was so embarrassed by it I specifically and explicitly told her to delete it but siblings will be siblings and I don’t know how on earth she did it (I’m not at all tech savvy), she deleted it in front of me and somehow managed to upload it to Face book.
Q - Do you perhaps think that before you reviewed it she might have made a backup?
A - It’s possible but like I said I’m no tech genius.
Q - Were you at all angry about her uploading it?
A - At first yes, I was steaming mad; you know like in cartoons when a character gets angry smoke come out of their ears I was like that, however when I realized it was too late and the whole world could see it I calmed down and harassed her... verbally, of course.
Q - How can you harass someone verbally?
A - I screamed at her, she ended up balling her eyes out. It was a harmless joke but I tend to overreact... a lot; in fact I think I fired several staff members because of my overreactions. I always feel bad afterwards but sometimes I’m a bit of a Hulk I simply can’t control my rage.
Q - This leads me on to next big question; what’s in a name, particularly yours; how did you find the oddest pair of words?
A - I found it through a game called Google whack.
Q - I’m sorry what’s Google whack?
A - Simply put, Google whack is when you Google something and only one result pops up.
Q - How did you come about this Google game?
A - Through comedy, more or less. I was surfing through the recommendations on my YouTube page when I came across something called ‘Dave Gorman’s Google whack Adventure’ which almost immediately peaked my interest. The video was an hour long and it was so late at night but I couldn’t help myself, I was intrigued and curious; I clicked on the video and was hooked for the whole thing, that man really knows how to nitpick. Anyways I tried to find a Google whack of my own, which, little did I realize, that would be nearly impossible considering how much information is now on the internet.
Q - And was Cantatio Dicta one of those Google whacks?
A - No, I came across it by luck! What went through my head was a thought that practically no one speaks Latin anymore so I’ll Google translate the word Hip Hop, my favorite type of music, to Latin and see if that’s a Google whack... it wasn’t but it was quite a cool phrase and a mouthful.
Q - How did that name stick?
A - I started teasing my friends saying that it was a hard tongue-twister; everyone I asked found it easy to say and started teasing me back, calling me ‘Cantatio Dicta’ and the name stuck. But that’s just when I was a back-up dancer, it started on stage when on my first gig Will.I.am introduced me by my nickname, I then corrected him, said my real name and went on with the show. My second gig, I was still being introduced as ‘Cantatio Dicta’ and I thought why not keep the name, it sounds a lot cooler than Zara Smith.
Q - Speaking of on stage, you always look fabulous on it, which segways to my next question. Do you have any beauty tips or do you have someone who does all the hair and make up for you?
A - I do have some tips but when on stage I insist on not having any make up on and, before you ask, it’s for a reason; there are bright lights on stage, along with singing and dancing, I sweat quite a bit, particularly in the facial region, which would make the make-up run. So unless you can play a gig in the dark or make lights that don’t melt your face off then I might start wearing make-up on stage. Ok, I needed to rant a bit, on to my top five tips. 1. Never mix dark and light shades of anything. 2. Cut onions before using an eyelash curler. 3. When using any kind of make-up make sure, just like when painting, to wipe your brushes in between each color. 4. Lip balm only moisturizes your lips it’s not meant to be lip stick. 5. If you can’t find a mirror then use a window or any other reflective surface.
Q - Do you go to the gym at all because I imagine because of social norms there might be some pressure on you to do so?
A - I do go to the gym but not because of... what you just said. No I go to the gym for me and no one but me and because of my job I can get premium membership and some sweet gear. I remember one time I took my sister to the gym and she was one hell of a wimp; she had absolutely no stamina, she hardly did anything for the whole day. I was majorly disappointed but I couldn’t say I was surprised; it’s not out of character for her to be a lazy git.
Q - That’s a bit harsh. Your fans would like to know what your gym routine is like.
A - First I run then I swim and finally I walk. Let me explain; I first use the treadmill for about half an hour steadily increasing the speed, then I swim because it relaxes me and finally I walk home to get more exercise.
Q - Last question, if you could time travel would you go to the future or the past?
A - In the past there are too many ways to muck everything up without knowing it but if I went to the future I wouldn’t know what to expect therefore less opportunity to mess up the timeline. But that’s theoretically speaking, in reality I wouldn’t because it’s not possible.
Tuesday, 28 March 2017
Music Magazine : Contents page shot list
This is intended to be a fashion photo, the primary feature in the contents page, for those readers who prefer a bit of rap and hip hop in their life, or for teens who feel rebellious and simply want to dress this way to annoy their parents.
The reason why I'm having the contents in hip hop come rap style of clothing is because in my general audience research (link here) the results showed that hip hop and rap were just shy of being the top option.
Description : The model is wearing a torn up waistcoat, torn up jeans and a black t-shirt. The model has her fringe covering half her face with a plait coming down the other side of her neck. The model's shoes are black and plain, like school shoes.
Description : The model is wearing a torn up waistcoat, torn up jeans and a black t-shirt. The model has her fringe covering half her face with a plait coming down the other side of her neck. The model's shoes are black and plain, a bit like school shoes.
Description : The model is wearing a torn up waistcoat, torn up jeans and a black t-shirt. The model has her fringe covering half her face with a plait coming down the other side of her neck. The model's shoes are black and plain, a bit like school shoes.
Description : The model is wearing a torn up waistcoat, torn up jeans and a black t-shirt. The model has her fringe covering half her face with a plait coming down the other side of her neck. The model's shoes are black and plain, a bit like school shoes.
Description : The model is wearing a torn up waistcoat, torn up jeans and a black t-shirt. The model has her fringe covering half her face with a plait coming down the other side of her neck. The model's shoes are black and plain, a bit like school shoes.
Description : The model is wearing a torn up waistcoat, torn up jeans and a black t-shirt. The model has her fringe covering half her face with a plait coming down the other side of her neck. The model's shoes are black and plain, a bit like school shoes.
Monday, 27 March 2017
Music Magazine : Front Cover Target Audience Feedback
The following feedback are from fellow students who wish to remain anonymous:
"The layout is good. I think if the arrow was a darker shade it would attract more people. The color scheme is really nice."
"I like the layout, but the 'Beyonce' headline stands out from the others because it's black and the others are white."
"The font is nice and complements the design of the cover as well as the theme. Keep all colors similar i.e the Beyonce is in black, Keep it up."
"I like the font and the layout of the front cover."
"Color scheme is nice, and the head shot fills the space, allowing attention for the headlines."
"The layout is good and clearly follows the conventions of a real media text. I also like the color scheme."
"I like the layout of the front cover. The color gradient is nice. The Beyonce text looks out of place due to the color, so maybe change that. Otherwise it's good."
Friday, 24 March 2017
Music Magazine : Front Cover Linked to Research
According to my general audience research (link here) most people answered the following:
- No to reading music magazines.
- Pop to favorite music genre.
- £0-2 to price range.
In response to this information I made sure that the genre of my magazine was Pop, that the magazine was free and that there were social media links so that readers can get news that way instead of reading music magazines.
Wednesday, 22 March 2017
Music Magazine : Masthead and Font Decisions
Tuesday, 21 March 2017
Music Magazine : Final Shots taken/mise-en-scene
This is the final image I decided to use:
I chose to use this image because a close up is the most traditional image for front covers. This image perfectly shows off the quirkiness of the character, my artist, yet it's subtly quirky. The two fingers across the eyes is meant to be a nod to the peace sign, v for victory, I decided to take the images in the media studio not only for the perfect lighting but also because of the plain background; it would allow me to insert any background or leave it plain, what's in the background can have an impact on the whole magazine.This image might not leave a lot of room for captions but it'll also mean that I can get creative with the spacing and lettering. Her face could use a few touch ups but luckily that can be easily fixed in Photoshop.Saturday, 18 February 2017
Music Magazine : Test Shots
These are the images I took fro my test shots of the cover model. I made sure to take more shots than necessary so that I had a plethora to choose from. I took more pictures than what's shown here (I removed the less successful images.)
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